Comics industry veteran Bill Schanes has acquired Bud’s Art Books, the mail order business that provides comic strips, comic books, fantasy, horror, and sci-fi illustrated books and graphic novels. The company was originally launched by retailer, distributor, publisher, collector, and historian Bud Plant.

Schanes and Plant had similar career trajectories within the comics industry. Plant began his career in comics in the late ‘60s and Schanes started his in the early ‘70s, each moving from retailer to publisher to distributor. They knew each other personally and professionally with Plant buying assets of Schanes’ Pacific Comics distribution company in 1985.

Schanes will be owner and President of Bud’s Art Books. He is joined in the acquisition by his business partner, Sasha Fera-Schanes, who is the President and CEO of comic and animation art retailer Pop-King, Inc. Bud Plant and Pop-King will remain as separate business entities while cooperating and supporting each other.

“After travelling around the world for over a decade, I returned to the United States and my children. I missed seeing them while I was away, but I also found that I missed the industry as well. Acquiring Bud’s Art Books, a company with a long history of serving comics and fantasy art fans was, to me, the perfect way to get back into the business I love, while also providing a solid future for my family,” Schanes said.

Plant will remain onsite in an advisory role to help the new team during the transitional period. The new team includes Marty Grosser, the longtime Editor of PREVIEWS for Diamond Comic Distributors. Schanes and his team will take control of operations on February 1, 2026.

“I’ve been privileged to share my passion for all things comics as well as illustration and art history… for an amazing run of 55 years. I’m so lucky to have had the support of wonderful customers as well as comic book creators, many of my good friends,” Plant said. “I’ve loved picking catalog covers featuring my favorite artists, creating cool signed bookplates (thanks to all you artists and writers!), and last but not least, helping deserving books get to people who appreciate them. As if that’s not enough, I’ve been told I’m being inducted into the Will Eisner Hall of Fame at Comic-Con this July. Life is good! I’m super pleased Bud Plant Comic Art will carry on with our present great staff and also new people like Marty Grosser and Bill Schanes to keep up the good work and add new dimensions to what I’ve achieved.”

“My vision for this company is comprehensive, and I have mapped out our future plans to take it into new markets, new audiences, and offering even more books and products than ever,” Schanes said. “The demand for comics and fantasy art has never been stronger, with comics currently in a strong period of sales. We will strive to be an important facet of that market, and look forward to serving their comic art needs.”